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ATM Skimming Safety Tips

Stealing debit card information using "skimmers" at gas pumps and ATMs is an old problem. But thieves are becoming more sophisticated at hiding the devices and getting around some of the fixes merchants have put in their way. Below are some additional ATM safety tips to keep in mind.
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Safety Tips

Look for signs of tampering

Before using an ATM or point-of-sale terminal, try wiggling the keypad or card slot, says the police department in Portland, Ore. If anything seems loose, don't use the device. Also, look for keypads that appear raised or have an unusual color, the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs recommends. A thief could have placed an overlay on the keypad to record the personal identification number you punch in. Some gas pumps have security tape that forms a seal around the card reader. If the seal is broken, that could be a sign that the reader has been compromised.

Protect your PIN
Place your hand over the keypad when entering your personal identification number in case thieves have installed a pinhole camera to record it, the Better Business Bureau recommends.
Create a separate account
Open a smaller account, separate from your primary, checking account, and use it exclusively for debit card transactions. If the account is skimmed, the lower balance would limit your losses.
Inspect ATM before using
Beware of ATMs whose card slots are a different color than the rest of the machine; have unusual equipment on the slot, keypad or sides, or overhead (which could hide a camera); or don't accept your card smoothly. If the slot is not securely attached, walk away. Newer ATMs have a flashing or steady light at the card slot. If it's obscured, suspect tampering.
Debit & Credit Cards | use a chip card
Credit and other debit cards with chips offer better protection than those only with magnetic stripes. But that's only the case if you insert just the chip portion of your card into a reader. If you need to insert your entire card, a skimmer may steal the data from the magnetic stripe.
Protect personal information
Carefully examine your bank account activity online to see whether funds have been withdrawn that you didn't authorize, FICO says. You can also set up an alert so that you're notified when funds are withdrawn.
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Report a fraud

Important resources that can help you combat fraud.

Annual Credit Report

Get a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each credit reporting agency. Ensure that the information on all of your credit reports is correct and up to date. Reviewing credit reports helps you catch signs of identity theft early. 

Learn More
Check, Credit, Debit Fraud

Check Fraud

  • Report check fraud, please visit your nearest branch location or call us at 904-354-8537

Credit Fraud

  • Report credit card lost or stolen: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 2, option 1
  • Report credit card fraud: 904-354-8537option 2, option 2, option 2

Debit Fraud

  • Report lost or stolen: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 1, option 1
  • Report fraud: 904-354-8537 option 2, option 1, option 3
Learn More
Credit Bureaus
Call: Or try: 
  • “Credit Freeze” - This tool lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name.
  • “Fraud Alert”- If you are concerned about identity theft, but haven’t yet become a victim, this fraud alert will protect your credit from unverified access for at least 30 days.
Identity Theft
  • Report Identity theft and get a recovery plan below.
  • Notify Community First of any Identity Theft that you've experienced.
Learn More

Sources:

https://www.consumerreports.org/scams-fraud/thieves-get-craftier-with-skimmers-debit-cards-credit-cards/
http://www.aarp.org/money/scams-fraud/info-2016/atm-skimmer-scams-to-dodge.html